Chapter Text
Only slowly the thick snow revealed the city as the airship approached. Zephirin stood at the deck of the ship starring at the walls that appeared out of the white mist. Next to him, Adelphel and Janlenoux leaned on the railing looking ahead. Both paladins had been eager to come home after the Heavens‘ Ward had managed to escape the influence of the archbishop. Although they should have died after turning into primals – as the young Elezen, who had fought against Grinnaux in a Trial of Combat, had stressed many times during their way back – they had somehow survived. Neither of them knew why or how but all of them had thanked the Fury for her clemency.
Fighting against the Warrior of Light had also opened their eyes although a few of his brothers were still hesitating to return to the Holy See (including Zephirin who had been relieved to know that the son of House Fortemps had survived his attack). But almost all of them had agreed to help end the Dragonsong War in the most possible way.
As he noticed a presence behind him, he turned his head around and looked into brown eyes. Guerrique had served directly under his lead while they had still been a part of the Temple Knights and had joined the Heavens‘ Ward without a second thought after Zephirin had asked him to. Both Elezen had always been rather close, but in the last few weeks they had accepted their feelings for each other.
After the defeat of the archbishop, the Heavens‘ Ward had been dissolved, granting them now the opportunity to life together – a fact, that also had pleased his two paladin brothers who had been secretly lovers for quiet some time. As a strong arm wrapped aroung his waist, Zephirin leaned back into the touch, resting his head against Guerrique’s shoulder.
Upon their arrival at the airship dock, the Warrior of Light was the first to step on solid ground again where they were greeted by Lord Aymeric and Lord Haurchefant. Both knights stood a few ilms away from a small group of Elezen consisting of the families of the former members of the Ward. Hesitantly at first, the families soon welcomed their sons, nephews, cousins or brothers back with open arms.
Zephirin had to hide a grin behind his hand as he saw Adelphel, who was scolded by two female Elezen – definetly his older sisters by their looks – while he stood next to Janlenoux, who was embraced tightly by his younger brothers. He was also surprised to see Charibert talking to an elderly couple, who – as the blond Elezen had later found out – had known the former inquisitor before he had joined the Tribunal, and had offered to take him in.
A gentle tug on his hand ripped him out of his thoughts and he turned to find Guerrique smiling at him. Behind the marauder stood two elderly Elezen as well, who eyed him curiously. Zephirin knew that Guerrique’s family consisted only of his grandparents from his mother’s side, all his other relatives had already passed away. The realisation, that he was the only one without a family waiting for him made his smile falter a little bit, before the blond Elezen next to him reminded him, that he could now build a family of his own.
The darkknight glasped their hands together and turned around facing Guerrique’s grandparents. Normally, the slight age difference between them did not show – Guerrique had often been mistaken to be the older one while in reality Zephirin was two years his senior – but now his former brother stood next to him, looking down at his feet like a child knowing it had done something bad. It took him a few seconds before he lifted his head again, addressing his grandparents before him. „I…“, he took a deep breath, „may I introduce you to Zephirin? He is my friend and my lover.“ He smiled encouragingly at the darkknight, who bowed.
To his surprise, Guerrique’s grandmother started to chuckle. „It was about time you introduced him to us. By the way you have always talked about him when you visited, we had thought you would take him as your lover rather sooner than later. But it seems you had to entertain yourself elsewhere first.“ The comment did not go unnoticed by both former members of the Heavens‘ Ward. Confused both watched as the woman took a large basket out of her husband’s hands and presented it to her grandchild.
„Take it. The young woman has sworn that she is yours. She sadly passed away after giving birth so you have to look after her. We will help you, but we do not have the energy to look after such a young life.“ Zephirin raised one eyebrow and looked at Guerrique, who still seemed to be confused but as his grandfather added: „She was born two weeks ago“, realisation hit him.
A frown appeared on his face and he quickly glanced between Zephirin and the basket. „I… I am sorry, Zephirin. It was just one time and we were not together yet. By the Fury… at this time I did not even dream – although I deeply hoped – that we could one day be lovers. It just seemed impossible and she… she was so nice and I could not resist…“ „Please stop. You do not have to defend your actions. Neither of us knew that we could one day live as a couple. But –“, he took the basket and held it out to the other Elezen, „you need to take responsability for your actions. If this is your daughter – and I do not have any reasons to doubt that her mother told the truth – then you have to look after her.“
Guerrique blinked a few times before he reached down and carefully tugged at the soft cloth that protected the being inside the basket from the cold. A few seconds later, a small face was revealed, which was dominated by two large green eyes. A patch of light blond hair, much like Guerrique’s, peaked out underneath a crosheted cap. For a moment, the infant eyed the two figures above her curiously but soon a frown appeared on her face. After all she did not recognise their faces. Only the familiar voice of her great-grandfather made her relax her face once more. „She is beautiful, isn’t she? We have talked about your current situation and have decided, that you can stay with us. After all, we have everything already at home.“
The marauder flashed his grandparents a wide smile and nodded his agreement. Carefully Zephirin pressed the basket into Guerrique’s arms, before turning to his grandparents with a bow. „It was nice meeting you but it will be the best, if I will leave you alone now. Guerrique, I hope you do look after your daughter. Farwell.“
The darkknight flinched inwardly. That had sounded a little bit too harsh and final, but right now, he did not know how to handle the situation. Did the other even want him to be close to his daughter? Surely he would not replace her mother so was it even just to stay at the other’s side? As he wanted to turn around, Guerrique took hold of his arm. „No, please do not go. Besides, where will you stay?“ „I will manage…“ was his way of saying ‚I haven’t thought about it yet, thank you for reminding me…‘. Zephirin tried to loosen the fingers around his arm, but his lover only shook his head.
„I know your current situation as well. Please be honest. You have nowhere to go.“ He then turned to his grandparents. „I love Zephirin and I hope that you accept our relationship. However as he is a part of my life, just like my daughter, he will be staying with me. If he wants to that is.“ Guerrique looked at him pleadingly. Zephirin cleared his throat and glanced at the other’s grandparents. As openminded as they seemed, they may tolerate their relationship but he doubted, that they would ever agree to him looking after their great-grandchild like a parent would.
Much to his surprise both elderly Elezen did not look disgusted or angry. While Guerrique’s grandfather had a stern look on his face and seemed to nod in understanding, his wife gave Zephirin a reassuring smile. His eyes widened for a moment and he opened his mouth but no words came out of it. Almost instinctly he looked down at the infant, who was chewing on the gloves on her hands but nevertheless was looking straight back at him. He sighed and bannished his second thoughts out of his mind. „Fine, I will stay with you. But no excessive drinking, no staying out late, no fighting and you get up if she cries at night.“